trailer HUMMER H2 2006 User Guide

If the vehicle has the Tow/Haul mode, use this feature if
the transmission is operating at higher temperatures
and/or the following situations exist, which can cause the
transmission to operate at higher temperatures:
Towing a trailer
Hot outside air temperatures
Hauling a large or heavy load
Over-loading
Low transmission uid level
High transmission uid level
Restricted air ow to the radiator and the
auxiliary transmission oil cooler, if your vehicle has
this feature
A temporary solution to hotter transmission operating
temperatures may be to let the transmission cool down.
If the transmission is operated at higher temperatures
on a frequent basis, seeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for the transmission your vehicle is
equipped with for the proper transmission maintenance
intervals. Also seeTransmission Temperature Gage
on page 3-37for more information.
TURN SIGNAL ON
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 of a mile (1.2 km), this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the
off position. Pressing any of the four DIC buttons or the
trip odometer reset stem will clear the message from
the DIC display.
DIC Vehicle Customization
Your vehicle may have customization capabilities that
allow you to program some features to one personalized
setting based on your preference. All of the
customizable options listed may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the options available will be displayed
on your Driver Information Center (DIC).
The default settings for the customization features were
set when your vehicle left the factory, but may have
been changed from their default state since then.
To change feature preferences, make sure the ignition
is on and the vehicle is in PARK (P). Press the
customization button to scroll through the available
customizable options.
After pressing the customization button, VEHICLE
SETTINGS will momentarily display before going to a
customization option.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Locking Rear Axle........................................4-10
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Off-Road Driving...........................................4-16
Assist Steps.................................................4-34
Driving at Night............................................4-38
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-39
City Driving..................................................4-41
Freeway Driving...........................................4-42
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-43Highway Hypnosis........................................4-43
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-44
Winter Driving..............................................4-46
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-50
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-50
Recovery Loops...........................................4-51
First Aid Kit and Tool Kit...............................4-52
Front Mounted Receiver.................................4-53
Power Winch Platform...................................4-54
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-55
Towing..........................................................4-59
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-59
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-60
Selectable Extended Rear Ride Height.............4-61
Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System...................................4-62
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-63
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-76
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

The tire pressure gage has a reset button in the gage
stem. After taking a pressure reading, press the
button to reset the gage to zero.
Front Mounted Receiver
Your vehicle is equipped with a front mounted receiver.
You can use the receiver with a power winch platform
(described later in this section) or with other
accessories.
Never use the front mounted receiver to tow a trailer.
You can use the front mounted receiver to tow your
vehicle behind another. SeeRecreational Vehicle
Towing on page 4-60.
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There is also important loading information on the
vehicle Certication/Tire label. It tells you the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the front and rear axle.
See “Certication/Tire Label” later in this section.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting gure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and there will be
ve 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-63for important
information on towing a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
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Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-43.
Dinghy Towing
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1. Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
2. Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition in
ACCESSORY.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the
tow vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle’s
transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your
vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in
PARK (P). You or others could be injured.
Make sure the parking brake is rmly set
before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
5. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See
Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-30for
the proper procedure to select the NEUTRAL
position for your vehicle.
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Press the height control button to raise the rear of the
vehicle.
A light in the button will begin to ash as the rear of the
vehicle rises. Once the extended height has been
reached (this may take up to a minute), the warning
light will stop ashing and will stay lit while the vehicle is
at the extended height.
To lower the vehicle to the normal ride height, press the
button again. The light in the button will ash as the
suspension lowers. When the light in the button stops
ashing and goes out, the suspension has reached
the normal ride height.
This feature will lower the vehicle to the normal height if
vehicle speed exceeds 40 mph (64 km/h).
You may also want to use this feature when ascending,
descending or cresting a steep hill as this can help
prevent the rear bumper from dragging on the base of
the hill or prevent the vehicle from grounding out
(high centering) on the crest of the hill.
Do not use this feature when towing a trailer.Electronically Controlled Air
Suspension System
The electronically controlled air suspension, if equipped,
keeps the rear of your vehicle level as you load and
unload it. The system includes a compressor, two height
sensor and two air springs supporting the vehicle.
The engine must be running for the system to level the
vehicle after loading or unloading. The system will
suspend leveling if any of the doors are open. Once the
doors are closed, system leveling will continue.
You may hear the compressor running when you load
your vehicle, and periodically as the system adjusts
the vehicle to the standard ride height. You may
also hear the release of air similar to a hissing sound
during suspension operation. This is normal.
Load leveling will not function normally with the inator
hose attached to the inator outlet. Remove the
inater hose from the outlet when it is not in use. See
Accessory Inator on page 5-68.
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Overload and Overheat Protection
Overload protection is designed to protect the air
suspension system and is an indication to the driver that
the vehicle is overloaded.
If the rear suspension remains at a low height, the rear
axle load has exceeded GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating). When the overload protection mode is activated,
the compressor operates for about 30 seconds to one
minute without raising the vehicle depending on the
amount of overload. This will continue each time
the ignition is turned on until the rear axle load is
reduced below GAWR.
If the total rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) is
reached, the suspension may be slightly less than level.
This is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with the air suspension.
If the system overheats, it will shut down and stop all
leveling functions until the system cools down.
During this time the SERVICE AIR SUSPENSION
message will appear in the DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-48for more information.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even
at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage
your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
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Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the rst 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a
lower gear selection if the transmission shifts
too often (e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly
conditions). See “Tow/Haul Mode” following.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires
4-64

Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul mode is used when using your vehicle to pull
a large or heavy load or trailer. Tow/haul is also
useful while pulling a load in rolling terrain, in
stop-and-go traffic, or when you need improved
low-speed control, such as when parking. The purpose
of the tow/haul mode is to do the following:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts when pulling a heavy trailer or
a large or heavy load.
Provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load as when
the vehicle is unloaded.
Improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less accelerator pedal activity when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy load.
Tow/haul mode is most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent of the
vehicle’s Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” later in this section.Press the button on the
instrument panel to the
right of the steering
wheel to enable the
tow/haul mode.
A light on the instrument
panel will illuminate to
indicate that tow/haul
mode has been selected.
Press the button again to turn off tow/haul mode. The
indicator light on the instrument panel will turn off.
The vehicle will automatically turn off tow/haul mode
every time it is started.
Driving with tow/haul mode activated without a heavy
load or with no trailer will cause reduced fuel economy
and unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics, but will not cause damage.
4-65

Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. It can also depend on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle,
and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry.
See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later in this
section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.
Use the following chart to determine how much
your vehicle can weigh, based upon your vehicle model
and options.
Engine Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight **GCWR
6000 V8 (SUV) 4.10 6,700 lbs (3 039 kg) 13,500 lbs (6 123 kg)
6000 V8 (SUT)* 4.10 6,600 lbs (2 994 kg) 13,500 lbs (6 123 kg)
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should not be
exceeded.
*Sport utility truck (SUT) models are neither designed nor intended to tow 5th wheel or gooseneck trailers.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in
your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
Booklet.In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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